What We Do

Friends of the New Orleans Public Library (FNOPL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting
New Orleans Public Library programming, services and staff development by engaging with and strengthening the diverse
Greater New Orleans community and promoting literacy for all.

Libraries can change lives. From reading programs for children in need to providing large print books for the elderly, Friends support our libraries and help people across New Orleans enjoy a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Since 1957, the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library has been contributing generously and providing vital volunteer service to partially fill the gap where city funding ends. Friends financially sponsor the Summer Reading Program, Children’s Book Week, Adult Programs, and Creative Writing Workshops. Friends also purchases supplies, awards scholarships to librarians continuing their education, and provides grants directly to each of the 14 library locations.

In addition to providing much needed funding to NOPL, Friends annually gives over 100,000 books to local schools, hospitals, shelters, prisons, and other community partnering organizations. Every year, Friends fund important and inspiring public library programs, benefiting our entire community.

• In the past year, FNOPL has contributed $70,000 to fund library programs, adult literacy classes, grants to individual Orleans branches and facility improvements. • FNOPL donated 150,000 books to senior centers, schools, prisons, shelters, military families and LSU Children’s Hospitals and sent thousands of audio books to the visually impaired.• We awarded $6,000 in scholarships to 5 local librarians who serve the public.• More than 14,600 children, teens, and adults participated in the 2018 Summer Reading Program.• More than 70,000 Orleans Parish residents benefit from NOPL library programs annually.

Learn more about joining Friends here – your support bolsters New Orleans’ vibrant literary culture and maintains free services to some of our most under-served families.